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Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Kelly Thomas Homicide Video

Originally Published May 08, 2012; Last Updated December 14, 2013; Last Republished December 14, 2013:

Authorities finally release the damning video1 in the Kelly Thomas homicide by police officers employed by the Fullerton Police Department.

Policing practices and policy2 that enable any police officer to escalate a routine encounter with a homeless person or any person into a homicide are profoundly and fundamentally flawed.

A simple telephone call or email to those in Fullerton or local area who routinely deal with the homeless would have identified Kelly, although Kelly gave the officer his name. Additionally, the officer said he recognized Kelly from previous encounters.

More importantly it would have also put someone on scene capable, competent, and experienced in nonviolently dealing with the homeless in general and Kelly in particular.

The public has benefited from Kelly's concerned father (a former police officer) and the significant amount of video, audio, eye-witnesses, physical and medical evidence.

One shutters to think on how many occasions our police offices behave in a malevolent manner when routinely confronting our mentally ill and others, without accountability for want of evidence, misplaced trust, or improper exercise of authority at all levels?

1. The video is Exhibit A for why homelessness should never, in the first instance be a law enforcement issue. The officers immediately begin badgering and cajoling Kelly, and then begin seeking probable cause by rummaging through Kelly's backpack. Kelly gave his backpack to the officer on request.

Those arriving late on the scene comment on Kelly's cyanosis, which is not surprising given Kelly's pleas of acute respiratory distress—pleas that were ignored. It can be quite difficult or impossible for human beings to simultaneously apply brawn and brains.

Of course this is a very good reason why our police officers should frequently use their brains and rarely, if ever their brawn.

2. Who taught or trained these police officers to provoke then participate in an escalating bar room like brawl? If they were not trained or taught this behavior then how and when did they learn it? Do audits reveal that these police officers are the rule or exception in the Fullerton Police Department? Are other local police departments taught or trained or have independently learned to behave in a similar manner?